A GROUP of fully-qualified officers have started work at Cleveland Police for the first time in seven years, following a lengthy recruitment freeze.

The 23 officers, deployed across the Force area, have recently completed their two-year probationary period and are now ready for independent patrol.

The recruitment freeze was lifted in 2014 and these officers began their training then.

Chief Constable Iain Spittal said: “Their hard work has paid off and they are now fully-fledged to go out and help protect our communities alongside their colleagues.

“I am very proud of their achievements and they should rightly be very proud too. They are already an integral part of our team and I look forward to seeing them progress throughout their careers.”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, Barry Coppinger, said: “I have followed the progress of these very capable new officers with great interest and I am sure our communities will welcome them, and their work going forward, in helping to keep us safe.”

Recruitment has begun for Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and Special Constables to join the Force. There will be a four week application window from the launch date which will be closed when 200 applications are received or on Wednesday 22nd February, whichever comes first.